Hacker gets new hope on extradition

Dec 1 2009

Home Secretary Alan Johnson has said he is considering granting computer hacker Gary McKinnon extra time to apply for a judicial review of his case.

Mr McKinnon, who has Asperger's syndrome, faces up to 60 years in jail for breaking into American government systems after the September 11 terror attacks.

Mr Johnson, who decided the Government will not intervene in the case last week, told the Commons he was considering a request from Mr McKinnon's legal team to extend the seven-day period they have to apply for a judicial review.

He conceded there were legitimate concerns over Mr McKinnon's mental health, but said this did not prevent him from being extradited to the US to face the charges.

Site Tools